Adjustable Drain Assembly

ABSTRACT

An adjustable drain assembly is provided. The assembly includes a base that has a concave inner pivoting surface and a top surface. An upper member is present and has a bottom surface located above the top surface. The upper member may have a concave inner pivoting surface. A pivot component may be present and have a convex outer pivoting surface that engages the concave inner pivoting surface of the base and upper member. The pivot component may be configured for engagement with a cover member. The base may have a pipe engagement surface for engagement with a pipe that is located completely below the pivot component.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/657,450 filed Jan. 21, 2010.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an adjustable drain assembly.More particularly, the present application involves an adjustable drainassembly for use with waste water removal that can be adjusted so as tobe flush with an upper surface of a floor for better drainage,appearance, and safety.

BACKGROUND

Floor drains are commonly found in locations such as bathrooms,basements, and showers for use in removing water that is eitherintentionally or unintentionally placed onto the surface that includesthe floor drain. The drain generally includes a grate through whichwater and waste flows. An assembly attached to the grate is locatedbelow the floor and is itself attached to a pipe. The water and wastecan flow through the grate and assembly and into the pipe for subsequentremoval.

Plumbing codes generally require the pipe to be positioned at a certainangle so that water within the pipe may flow in the desired directionvia gravity. The pipe usually takes the shape of an elbow at the drainlocation and placement of the pipe at the necessary angle thus causesthe upper end of the pipe to be positioned at the same angle. Subsequentattachment of the grate and associated assembly to the pipe may causethe grate to be situated at an angle to the surface of the floor. Aportion of the grate and/or assembly holding the grate may stick up fromthe surface of the floor or be located beneath the surface of the floor.Aside from creating an eyesore, this arrangement may present a trippinghazard to the occupants of the space or can cause damage by beingsnagged against shoes or socks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including thebest mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is setforth more particularly in the remainder of the specification, whichmakes reference to the appended Figs. in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an adjustable drain assembly shownin relation to a concrete floor in accordance with one exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an adjustable drain assembly inaccordance with another exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the adjustable drain assembly of FIG. 2 shownin relation to a concrete floor.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the adjustable drain assembly of FIG. 2shown in relation to a pipe.

FIG. 5 is a top view of a base of an adjustable drain assembly inaccordance with one exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the base of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a top view of a pivot component of an adjustable drainassembly in accordance with one exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the pivot component of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a top view of an upper member of an adjustable drain assemblyin accordance with one exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the upper member of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the adjustable drain assembly shownin FIG. 2 without a locking bolt and rotated from the orientation shownin FIG. 2.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of an adjustable drain assembly inaccordance with another exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 13 is cross-sectional view of an adjustable drain assembly inaccordance with another exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 14 is cross-sectional view of an adjustable drain assembly inaccordance with another exemplary embodiment.

Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification anddrawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features orelements of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF REPRESENTATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention,one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Eachexample is provided by way of explanation of the invention, and notmeant as a limitation of the invention. For example, featuresillustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used withanother embodiment to yield still a third embodiment. It is intendedthat the present invention include these and other modifications andvariations.

It is to be understood that the ranges mentioned herein include allranges located within the prescribed range. As such, all rangesmentioned herein include all sub-ranges included in the mentionedranges. For instance, a range from 100-200 also includes ranges from110-150, 170-190, and 153-162. Further, all limits mentioned hereininclude all other limits included in the mentioned limits. For instance,a limit of up to 7 also includes a limit of up to 5, up to 3, and up to4.5.

The present invention provides for an adjustable drain assembly 10 thatcan be used to align a grate 84 of a cover member 80 with the uppersurface 88 of a concrete floor 86 to result in a safer and more visuallypleasing arrangement. The adjustable drain assembly 10 may include apivot component 60 housed within a base 12 and an upper member 40. Thepivot component 60 may have a convex outer pivoting surface 62 thatengages concave inner pivoting surfaces 18 and 42 of the base 12 andupper member 40 to allow the pivot component 60 to pivot with respect tothe base 12 and upper member 40. The pivot component 60 can be adjustedso that the cover member 80 and grate 84 are moved to a desiredposition. A locking force may then be applied to the base 12 and uppermember 40 to lock the position of the pivot component 60, and hencecover member 80 and grate 84, with respect to the base 12 and uppermember 40.

FIG. 1 illustrates one exemplary embodiment of the adjustable drainassembly 10 shown in relation to a concrete floor 86. Installation of adrain into a floor of a residence or building may involve the placementof a pipe 90 at an angle to an upper surface 88 of a concrete floor 86of the building. The pipe 90 may be placed at such an angle in order toensure the flow of water through the pipe 90 for disposal. In oneembodiment, the pipe is disposed inside the base and contacts inner stop24. In one embodiment, pipe 90′ (of a larger diameter than pipe 90) isdisposed outside the base and contacts outer step 25.

The adjustable drain assembly 10 facilitates an even placement of thecover member 80 with respect to the concrete floor 86 by includingcomponents that may be angled to one another. The pipe 90 may be rigidlyconnected to the bottom of a base 12. A pivot component 60 can be lockedonto the base 12 and angled thereto. As shown, an axis 94 passingthrough the center of the base 12 is oriented at an angle to an axis 96passing through the center of the pivot component 60. The cover member80 can be attached to the pivot component 60 and can be properlypositioned so that a grate 84 of the cover member 80 lays flush with theupper surface 88 of the concrete floor 86.

In one embodiment, the drain assembly can be used for applications thatinclude showers, sinks, pools, garages, patios and the like.

An alternative exemplary embodiment of the adjustable drain assembly 10is shown in FIG. 2. The drain assembly 10 includes a base 12, uppermember 40, and pivot component 60. A cover member 80 can be attached tothe pivot component 60. With reference now to FIGS. 2, 5 and 6, the base12 defines a through bore 26 from a top surface 14 to a bottom surface16. A concave inner pivoting surface 18 can extend from the top surface14 and may define a portion of the through bore 26. The concave innerpivoting surface 18 can have a constant radius of curvature or may havea varying radius of curvature along its length. The concave innerpivoting surface 18 may be arranged so that the diameter of the portionof the through bore 26 formed by the concave inner pivoting surface 18decreases in the direction extending away from the top surface 14 and atno point increases or remains the same along the entire length of theconcave inner pivoting surface 18. The concave inner pivoting surface 18may terminate at an upper step 20 that can extend in a directionperpendicular to an axis 94 extending through the base 12.

The base 12 may also include a pipe engagement surface 28 that canextend from the bottom surface 16. In some arrangements, the pipeengagement surface 28 may be located on the inside of the base 12 andform a portion of the through bore 26. In other embodiments, the pipeengagement surface 28 may be located along a portion of the outer sidewall 36 of the base 12. In still other arrangements, the pipe engagementsurface 28 may be located at the bottom surface 16 and need not extendalong the inner wall or outer side wall 36 of the base 12. The pipeengagement surface 28 may be provided for engagement with the pipe 90,although it is to be understood that portions of the pipe engagementsurface 28 need not contact the pipe 90 when the pipe 90 is attached tothe base 12. However, in other arrangements, the entire pipe engagementsurface 28 contacts the pipe 90 when the pipe 90 is attached to the base12.

In the embodiment illustrated, the pipe engagement surface 28 extendsfrom the bottom surface 16 and defines a portion of the through bore 26that has a constant diameter. The pipe engagement surface 28 terminatesat a lower step 24 that extends towards the axis 94 and causes thediameter of the through bore 26 to be reduced in size at the lower step24. An inner surface 22 may extend from the lower step 24 to the upperstep 20 and can be arranged so that it does not extend towards or awayfrom the axis 94 and maintains the through bore 26 at a constantdiameter. A flushing aperture 34 can extend from the outer side wall 36of the base 12 to the through bore 26. The flushing aperture 34 canpenetrate the outer side wall 36 at the inner surface 22 so as to extendthrough the inner surface 22. The flushing aperture 34 may be present inorder to introduce water or other fluid into the drain assembly 10and/or pipe 90. Non-use of the drain may result in water present withinthe drain to dry up, thus allowing sewage gases from the sewer system torevert back through the drain and into the building to which the drainis installed. Water may be inserted through the flushing aperture 34 tomaintain a sufficient water level in a trap used to act as a buffer tosewage gases. However, it is to be understood that other arrangements ofthe adjustable drain assembly 10 may be provided that do not include aflushing aperture 34. Further, the flushing aperture 34 may be providedat a different location of the adjustable drain assembly 10 in otherembodiments. In applications that do not involve water removal, a plug(not shown) may be inserted into the flushing aperture 34 to close offthis opening if desired. Also, in applications involving the removal ofwaste water, the flushing aperture 34 can be unused if so desired andcan be either closed off or left open.

The diameter of the through bore 26 may thus be varied along the lengthof the through bore 26 from the top surface 14 to the bottom surface 16.In other arrangements, the through bore 26 may be formed completely bythe concave inner pivoting surface 18 and the other portions of the base12 forming the through bore 26 as illustrated need not be present. Inthese arrangements, the through bore 26 may have a completely varyingdiameter along its entire length. The pipe 90 may be arranged so that itis completely below certain portions of the adjustable drain assembly 10such as the pivot component 60, upper member 40, and the cover member40. As such, no portion of the pivot component 60 may be capable ofbeing inserted into the pipe 90 so as to be located within a throughbore of the pipe 90. The attached adjustable drain assembly 10 forms anopening through which water or other waste material may flow through agrate 84 and through the interior of the adjustable drain assembly 10and into the interior of the pipe 90 and then transported to a desiredlocation. It is to be understood, however, that other arrangements arepossible in which one or more of the components of the adjustable drainassembly 10 such as the pivot component 60, upper member 40, and/orcover member 80 are capable of being inserted into the pipe 90. As such,other arrangements are possible in which one or more of the componentsare not located completely above the pipe 90. In still otherarrangements, the adjustable drain assembly 10 may be made so that thevarious components can touch the drain 90 but not be located within thedrain 90.

FIG. 12 illustrates an alternative exemplary embodiment of theadjustable drain assembly 10 in which the base 12 includes a pipeengagement surface 28 that extends from the bottom surface 16. A portionof the through bore 26 is defined by the concave inner pivoting surface18 that ends at an upper step 20 that extends in a directionperpendicular to the axis 94 of the base 12. The concave inner pivotingsurface 18 and the upper step 20 may be arranged as previouslydescribed. The pipe engagement surface 28 defines a portion of thethrough bore 26 from the bottom surface 16 to the upper step 20 suchthat this portion of the through bore 26 has a constant diameter. Assuch, the lower step 24 and the inner surface 22 of the previouslydescribed embodiment are not present. The pipe 90 may be attached to thebase 12 and can engage the entire length of the pipe engagement surface28 or may engage only a portion of the length of the pipe engagementsurface 28.

With reference now back to FIGS. 2, 5 and 6, the portion of the base 12that defines the concave inner pivoting surface 18 may be integrallyformed with the portion of the base 12 that defines the pipe engagementsurface 28 so that these portions are a single piece. In this manner,the base 12 can be a single piece and not multiple pieces formedtogether that form the concave inner pivoting surface 18 and the pipeengagement surface 28. The portions of the base 12 as shown in thefigures may be a single, integrally formed piece. However, otherarrangements may exist in which multiple separate pieces are combinedtogether so as to form the concave inner pivoting surface 18 and thepipe engagement surface 28 of the base 12.

The base 12 may include one or more flanges 30 positioned an equaldistance about the perimeter of the base 12. Any number of flanges 30may be included. For example from 1-3, from 2-5, or up to 10 flanges 30may be present in other arrangements. As illustrated, three flanges 12are present and each includes a flange aperture 32 extendingtherethrough. The flanges 30 and flange apertures 32 are used forengagement with an upper member 40 so that a locking bolt 92 can bedisposed therethrough for use in providing a locking force to theadjustable drain assembly 10. However, other embodiments are possible inwhich flanges 30 and locking bolts 92 are not used to generate a lockingforce of the adjustable drain assembly 10. For example, set screws, afriction fit, mechanical fasteners, or interlocking components can beused to effect locking of the adjustable drain assembly 10.

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 9 and 10, the adjustable drain assembly 10includes an upper member 40 that has a bottom surface 44 that maydirectly face the top surface 14 of the base 12. The bottom surface 44may be spaced from the top surface 14 or may in fact engage the topsurface 14 in certain arrangements. The top surface 14 and bottomsurface 44 may both be flat surfaces or may be variously shaped in otherarrangements. The upper member 40 may include one or more flanges 46that can coincide with the flanges 30 of the base 12. Any number offlanges 46 may be present in various arrangements such as from 1-3, from2-5, or up to 10 flanges. The flanges 46 can each include a flangeaperture 48 that align with respective flange apertures 32 of theflanges 30. A locking bolt 92 can be disposed through both the flangeaperture 32 and the flange aperture 48 and tightened in order to urgethe top surface 14 of the base 12 and the bottom surface 44 of the uppermember 40 towards one another so as to effect locking of the adjustabledrain assembly 10. As previously discussed, the use of flanges 46 andlocking bolts 92 need not be present in other arrangements in order toeffect locking of the adjustable drain assembly 10.

The upper member 40 defines a through bore 50 that extends from a topsurface 52 to the bottom surface 44. The upper member 40 also has aconcave inner pivoting surface 42 that may define the entire throughbore 50. In other arrangements, the concave inner pivoting surface 42may define only a portion of the through bore 50 and other portions ofthe upper member 40 can define the rest of the through bore 50. Theconcave inner pivoting surface 42 can be arranged so that the throughbore 50 increases in diameter along the entire length of the throughbore 50 from the top surface 52 to the bottom surface 44. In thisregard, the concave inner pivoting surface 42 constantly changes alongits entire length so that the through bore 50 does not have a constantdiameter at any location. The radius of curvature of the concave innerpivoting surface 42 may be constant along its entire length, or variousradii of curvature of the concave inner pivoting surface 42 may existalong its length. Further, the radius of curvature of the concave innerpivoting surface 42 may be the same as, or different from, the radius ofcurvature of the concave inner pivoting surface 18 of the base 12.

The upper member 40 can have a top surface 52 that is convex in shape.The top surface 52 can be differently shaped than the bottom surface 44,or may be the same shape as the bottom surface 44 in other embodiments.The top surface 52 can be arranged so that the upper member 40 cannot beflipped upside down so to make the top surface 52 directly face the topsurface 14 of the base 12. However, other arrangements are possible inwhich the upper member 40 may be capable of being flipped upside down soas to face the top surface 14. For example, the top surface 52 need notbe convex in shape but can have flat sections that extend around theentire circumference. In these alternate embodiments, the top surface 52generally forms an apex in which a portion of the top surface 52 extendsaway from the concave inner pivoting surface 42. In other arrangements,the top surface 52 may be flat.

With reference now to FIGS. 2, 7 and 8, the adjusting drain assembly 10includes a pivot component 60 that has a convex outer pivoting surface62. A number of recesses 64 are defined in the convex outer pivotingsurface 62 and extend generally along the length of the pivot component60 so as to be roughly aligned with the axis 96 of the pivot component60. The convex outer pivoting surface 62 may have a single, constantradius of curvature or may have varying radii of curvature in otherexemplary embodiments. The radius of curvature of the convex outerpivoting surface 62 may be the same as the radii of curvature of theconcave inner pivoting surfaces 18 and 42. As such, the convex outerpivoting surface 62 may be complimentary to the concave inner pivotingsurfaces 18 and 42 so as to be capable of engaging these surfaces 18 and42. The user may adjust the position of the pivot component 60 withrespect to the upper member 40 and the base 12. The geometry of thepivot component 60 may function to limit the range of adjustment of thepivot component 60. For example, the portion of the pivot component 60at the bottom of the convex outer pivoting surface 62 may extend inwardstowards the axis 96 and may abut against the upper step 20 so as toprevent further pivoting of the pivot component 60. This may beillustrated with reference back to FIG. 1 in which the pivot component60 abuts against the upper step 20. Also, as illustrated with referenceto FIG. 1, the pivot component 60 need not have any recesses 64 locatedthereon. Although shown as extending completely around the axis 94 ofthe pivot component 60, in other arrangements the recesses 64 may extendup to 90°, up to 180°, or up to 270° around the convex outer pivotingsurface 62 of the pivot component 60. The recesses 64 may function toreduce the weight of the pivot component 60 and hence reduce the cost ofmaterial in manufacturing this portion of the adjustable drain assembly10.

Referring back to FIGS. 2, 7 and 8, the convex outer pivoting surface 62extends completely around the outer circumference of the pivot component60. In other arrangements, the convex outer pivoting surface 62 need notextend completely around the entire outer surface of the pivot component60. In this regard, a portion of the outer surface of the pivotcomponent 60 need not be convex in shape. The convex outer pivotingsurface 62 may engage the concave inner pivoting surfaces 18 and 42 butcan slide across these surfaces so that the angle of the axis 96 of thepivot component 60 can be adjusted relative to the axis 94 of thealigned base 12 and upper member 40. The engagement may also allow forthe pivot component 60 to be able to be spun around on its axis 96 acomplete 360°. Once the pivot component 60 has been oriented to adesired position relative to the base 12 and the upper member 40, thelocking bolts 92 can be tightened in order to exert a force urging thebase 12 and the upper member 40 towards one another. This force will betranslated to the concave inner pivoting surfaces 18 and 42 that will bemoved against the convex outer pivoting surface 62 in order to pin theconvex outer pivoting surface 62 into the desired position. Repeatedtightening of the locking bolts 92 will cause the convex outer pivotingsurface 62 to be tightly engaged between the concave inner pivotingsurfaces 28 and 42 and held securely into position.

The convex outer pivoting surface 62 extends from the top surface 72 ofthe pivot component 60 and terminates at a location above the bottomsurface 68 so as not to extend all the way to the bottom surface 68. Inother arrangements, the convex outer pivoting surface 62 can extendupwards from the bottom surface 68 and terminate at a location short ofthe top surface 72. In yet other exemplary embodiments, the convex outerpivoting surface 62 may extend the entire length from the top surface 72to the bottom surface 68. The pivot component 60 defines a through bore78 that extends from the top surface 72 to the bottom surface 68. Afirst inner surface 70 can extend from the top surface 72 and may form aportion of the through bore 78. The first inner surface 70 may haveinternal threading 66 defined thereon and, with the exception of theinternal threading 66, can form a portion of the through bore 78 thathas a constant diameter. A sloped surface 76 can extend from the bottomof the first inner surface 70 and may be directed so as to cause theportion of the through bore 78 formed by the sloped surface 76 todecrease in diameter in the direction extending away from the firstinner surface 70 along the axis 96. The sloped surface 76 may have aconstant degree of slope or may have various degrees in differentembodiments. A second inner surface 74 may be defined from the bottom ofthe sloped surface 76 to the bottom surface 68 and can form a portion ofthe through bore 78 that has a constant diameter. The bottom surface 68may be located in the portion of the through bore 26 formed by the innersurface 22 of the base 12. In other arrangements when pivoted, thebottom surface 68 may be located in the portions of the through bore 26formed by both the inner surface 22 and the concave inner pivotingsurface 18 of the base 12. For example, in an alternative arrangement ofthe adjustable drain assembly 10 the pivot component 60 includes athrough bore 78 defined by a first inner surface 70 and a sloped surface76 that extends from a top surface 72 to a bottom surface 68. The slopesurface 76 can be arranged so that it extends from the bottom surface 68to the first inner surface 70, and a second inner surface 74 need not bepresent.

Referring back to FIGS. 2, 7 and 8, the pivot component 60 may bearranged so that the pivot component 60 is located along the entirelength of the through bore 50 of the upper member 40. Further, the pivotcomponent 60 may extend along a portion of the length of the throughbore 26 of the base 12. In other embodiments, the pivot component 60 mayextend along the entire length of the through bore 26 of the base 12 andmay extend along the entire length of the through bore 26 of the base12. In yet further arrangements, the pivot component 60 may be locatedin and extend along the entire length of the through bore 26 of the base12, and the pivot component 60 may be located in and extend through onlya portion of the through bore 50 of the upper member 40 and not throughthe entire length of the through bore 50.

A cover member 80 can be attached to the pivot component 60 and can havean axis that aligns with the axis 96 of the pivot component 60 so thatpositioning of the pivot component 60 effects positioning of the covermember 80. The cover member 80 can be a separately purchased componentor may be supplied with and form a part of the adjustable drain assembly10 upon purchase. The cover member 80 may include a through bore andhave external threading 82 that engages the complimentary internalthreading 66 of the pivot component 60 so as to effect attachment. Agrate 84 may be located at the top of the cover member 80. The user mayturn the cover member 80 to move the cover member 80 due to the treadedconnection between the cover member 80 and the pivot component 60. Theheight of the grate 84 may thus be raised and lowered with respect tothe pivot component 60, upper member 40, and base 12. The cover member80 illustrated in the exemplary embodiment includes a second set ofthreaded members that allows for additional adjustment of the height ofthe cover member 80 should the adjustments provided by the externalthreading 82 and internal threading 66 not be sufficient. The covermember 80 may be variously configured in accordance with differentexemplary embodiments and a variety of types of cover members can beattached to the adjustable drain assembly 10. The cover member 80 may bea clean out or a cover plate in accordance with different exemplaryembodiments.

One exemplary embodiment of the installation of the adjustable drainassembly 10 may first include the installation of the pipe 90 out of theground at a desired drainage pitch angle. A string line may be placedthat represents the final level of a cement floor 86 that is to besubsequently poured. The installer may place the adjustable drainassembly 10 onto the top of the pipe 90 and install same thereon. Forexample, the top of the pipe 90 may be press fit onto the pipeengagement surface 28. Other arrangements are possible in which theengagement between the pipe 90 and the base 12 may be effected through athreaded engagement, mechanical fasteners, or snap-in locking. Plumber'stape may be used to ensure this connection remains leak proof ifdesired. The installer can then adjust the angular orientation of thepivot component 60 and attached cover member 80 so that a grate 84 ofthe cover member 80 is level with the string line. The height of thecover member 80 with respect to the pivot component 60 can be adjustedas needed through the threaded engagement between internal threading 66and external threading 82 so that the grate 84 is located at the stingline. Once the installer is satisfied with the position of the grate 84,he or she may tighten the locking bolts 92 so as to lock the angularorientation of the grate 84 and attached cover member 80 and pivotcomponent 60. A water line may be attached to the flushing aperture 34either before or after positioning of the grate 84 is accomplished.

The concrete slab may be poured around the adjustable drain assembly 10in order to form the concrete floor 86. The rigid interlocking of theadjustable drain assembly 10 will prevent this component and theattached grate 84 from being moved out of position when subjected toforces applied by the cement. FIG. 3 illustrates one exemplaryembodiment in which recesses 64 are located on the pivot component 60.Concrete may enter the recesses 64 when poured to form the concretefloor 86. Hardening of concrete within the recesses 64 may furtherfunction to more securely anchor the adjustable drain assembly 10 intothe concrete floor 86.

With reference now to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, the adjustabledrain assembly 10 is shown in relation to a concrete floor 86. As shown,the pivot component 60, cover member 80, and the grate 84 are pivoted inrelation to the pipe 90, base 12 and upper member 40 so that the top ofthe grate 84 is flush with the upper surface 88 of the concrete floor86. This positioning may eliminate the grate 84 or other portion of thecover member 80 as a tripping hazard since they are not flush with theupper surface 88. Also, this arrangement may prevent the accumulation ofwater or debris and resultant bacteria that will now go down the draininstead of being located outside of or at the grate 84 due to itspositioning. Further, the arrangement may function to stabilize the lineconnected to the flushing aperture 34 as it may likewise be encased inconcrete. The exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 does not include recesses64. However, the adjustable drain assembly 10 may still be securely heldwithin the concrete floor 86 by having the concrete poured around thevarious components of the adjustable drain assembly 10. Further,although shown and described as being used in conjunction with aconcrete floor 86, the adjustable drain assembly 10 may be used withother types of floors such as wood floors in accordance with otherexemplary embodiments. Also, although described as being used inconnection with water in a plumbing application, the adjustable drainassembly 10 may be used in other applications. For instance, theadjustable drain assembly 10 may be used in conjunction with anelectrical conduit for use in housing electrical components such as wireor cable.

Referring to FIG. 13, another embodiments of the present invention isshown. Upper member 40 can include an upper tab 110 and lower tab 111(FIG. 14) that can assist with tightening the bayonet friction couplingbetween upper member 40 and base 12. The bayonet friction coupling canbe defined with a locking tab 116 included in the base which engaged aslot 114 defined in the upper member so that when the upper member isrotated the locking tab, being angled, causes the upper member tocompress against pivot component 60. In one embodiment, a detent can beincluded in a locking assembly comprising the friction coupling so thatthe upper member and base are locked in place.

Lower step 24 (or inner step) extends into through bore 96 and inincluded in the base. An outer step 25 can be included in the baseextending aware from the through bore and disposed external to the base.The inner surface 22 can extend from the concave surface 18 of base 12downward to shelf 118. Shelf 118 can be disposed between the innersurface and the lower step. In one embodiment the inner surface issloped inwards from the top to the bottom. Cover member 80 can beextendable attached to pivot component 60 so that when the base isattached to pipe 90, the cover member can be extended upward or downwardso that the grate 84 is flush with the floor.

While the present invention has been described in connection withcertain preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the subjectmatter encompassed by way of the present invention is not to be limitedto those specific embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended for thesubject matter of the invention to include all alternatives,modifications and equivalents as can be included within the spirit andscope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An adjustable drain assembly, comprising: a basehaving a concave inner pivoting surface, wherein said base has a topsurface; an upper member having a bottom surface that is located abovethe top surface of the base, wherein the upper member has a concaveinner pivoting surface; a pivot component having a convex outer pivotingsurface that engages the concave inner pivoting surface of the base andthat engages the concave inner pivoting surface of the upper member,wherein the pivot component is configured for engagement with a covermember; a pipe engagement surface included in the base for engagementwith a pipe wherein the pipe is located completely below the pivotcomponent; and, a lower step included in the base disposed between thepipe engagement surface and the concave inner pivot surface.
 2. Theadjustable drain assembly of claim 1 including an inner surfaceextending from the concave inner pivoting surface and disposed above thepipe engagement surface.
 3. The adjustable drain assembly of claim 2wherein the inner surface extending from the concave inner pivotingsurface is sloped inward.
 4. The adjustable drain assembly of claim 2including a shelf extending from the inner surface.
 5. The adjustabledrain assembly of claim 1 wherein said cover member is adjustablyattached to said upper member so that the distance between the top ofthe cover member and the top of the upper member can be varied.
 6. Theadjustable drain assembly of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of thepivot component includes recesses.
 7. The adjustable drain assembly ofclaim 1 wherein said lower step is an outward lower step.
 8. The drainassembly of claim 1 wherein said upper member and said lower member areremovable connected by a bayonet friction coupling.
 9. An adjustabledrain assembly, comprising: a base having a concave inner pivotingsurface that defines a portion of a through bore of the base, whereinthe through bore of the base extends from a top surface of the base to abottom surface of the base, wherein the concave inner pivoting surfaceextends from the top surface of the base to a location that is not atthe bottom surface of the base, wherein the portion of the base definingthe concave inner pivoting surface and the portion of the base definingthe through bore from the concave inner pivoting surface to the bottomsurface of the base are a single component; an upper member that has aconcave inner pivoting surface, wherein the upper member has a throughbore; a pivot component whose position can be adjusted relative to thebase and the upper member, wherein the pivot component has a convexouter pivoting surface, wherein at least a portion of the pivotcomponent is located in the through bore of the upper member, whereinthe position of the pivot component can be adjusted relative to the baseand the upper member to a desired position and then can be locked intoplace so as to have a fixed position relative to the base and the uppermember; and, a pipe engagement surface that extends from the bottomsurface of the base to a lower step that defines a portion of thethrough bore of the base and is configured for engagement with a pipe.10. The adjustable drain assembly of claim 9 wherein the lower stepextends from the through bore through the base extending away from theouter surface of the base.
 11. The adjustable drain assembly of claim 9including an inner surface extending from the concave inner pivotingsurface and disposed above the pipe engagement surface.
 12. Theadjustable drain assembly of claim 11 wherein the inner surfaceextending from the concave inner pivoting surface is sloped.
 13. Theadjustable drain assembly of claim 11 including a shelf extending fromthe inner surface.
 14. The adjustable drain assembly of claim 11including a shelf extending into the through bore and carried by aninner surface of the base.
 15. An adjustable drain assembly, comprising:a base having a concave inner pivoting surface and a through bore; apipe engagement surface included in the base and disposed under theconcave inner pivoting surface for attaching a pipe to the base; aninner step included in the base extended into the through bore; an uppermember that has a concave inner pivoting surface removably attached tothe base; and, a pivot component having a convex outer pivoting surfacewhose position can be adjusted relative to the base and the upper memberand then can be locked into place so as to have a fixed positionrelative to the base and the upper member.
 16. The adjustable drainassembly of claim 15 including an outer step included in the baseextending away from the through bore.
 17. The adjustable drain assemblyof claim 15 including a cover member removably attached to the pivotcomponent and extendable away from the pivot component to vary thedistance between the bottom of the base and the top of the covercomponent.
 18. The adjustable drain assembly of claim 15 including abayonet friction coupling for locking the base and the upper member andsecuring the pivot component in a desired position.
 19. The adjustabledrain assembly of claim 18 including an upper tab included in the uppermember to assist with rotating the upper member relative to the base tolock the upper member and base together.
 20. The adjustable drainassembly of claim 18 including a lower tab included in the base toassist with rotating the upper member relative to the base to lock theupper member and base together.